I like to walk about among the beautiful things that adorn the world; but private wealth I should decline, or any sort of personal possessions, because they would take away my liberty. (George Santayana)"It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly." (Bertrand Russel)

Every evening (sometimes at night), when I finish my work day, I spend a few minutes clearing up my desk and the area surrounding it. I separate papers for recycling, others for filing, I put pens and pencils back into their containers and I remove one toy or another left by the kids outside its place that I didn't remember to tell them to put away before they went to bed (training them to do this on a regular basis is a work in progress...)

I know that the next morning, I'll start my day of work much better if I find a clean and clear workspace withouth things here and there, distracting my sight and mind. I try (another work in progress...) that the same rule applies to the whole house. And also outdoors, I prefer oen spaces (preferably green) and I avoid big supermarkets and malls, always full of things, artificial lights and noise.

This being said, I've been thinking a lot lately about the enourmous amount of things I own that do not contribute in the least to my happyness. On the contrary, they take up space, they take up work to be cleaned, they take up worry and above all, they take up my time and attention, that could be better used on more important things. Like playing with my kids, spending more time in nature with my husband, drawing and reading, just to mention a few.

None of this is new, in fact, all of it is quite old:

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and stea. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." or "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." (Jesus Christ)

I like to walk about among the beautiful things that adorn the world; but private wealth I should decline, or any sort of personal possessions, because they would take away my liberty. (George Santayana)"It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly." (Bertrand Russel)

“If one's life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements.” (Dalai Lama)I think I have too many things. I am sure I produce more litter than I could. I've decided to simplify. Some of the things that have inspired me lately arethis video, from a family that managed to reduce the garbage they produce to unbelievably small amounts.

And this site about minimalism as a way of improving our lives and the lives of those around us: